Published: Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 4:13 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 4:13 p.m.

A gas line break that kept traffic snarled across town for hours on Wednesday also left homes and businesses near 17th Street and South College Road without gas Wednesday night.

An 8-inch gas line in the 3900 block of South College Road was blown around 4 p.m. when it was hit by contractors in the area doing installation work, said Wilmington Fire Department battalion chief Tom Robertson. Officials shut down that portion of the road from 4 p.m. to about 8 p.m. as crews worked to repair the line.

The hit caused the gas line to break from two different directions, Robertson said. Crews were able to find and close one break quickly, but were unable to locate the other break Wednesday evening. Crews decided to shut off the gas valve at 17th and South College and resume digging Thursday morning, Robertson said.

That decision left an unknown number of homes and businesses without gas service for heat, hot water or cooking, Robertson said. He was also unsure when that service would be restored.

The road closures led to significant traffic slowdowns across southern New Hanover County, causing problems from 17th Street to the Monkey Junction area and on Oleander Drive and Masonboro Loop Road, according to dispatchers.

Cape Fear Academy, which is located at 3900 S. College Road, was locked down at 4 p.m. to ensure the safety of students and staff, said school spokeswoman Susan Harrell.

After discussions with emergency officials, students were able to leave campus around 6:15 p.m.

Harrell said the school would be open as normal Thursday and that the lack of gas service should not affect any of the school's operations.

<p>A gas line break that kept traffic snarled across town for hours on Wednesday also left homes and businesses near 17th Street and South College Road without gas Wednesday night. </p><p>An 8-inch gas line in the 3900 block of South College Road was blown around 4 p.m. when it was hit by contractors in the area doing installation work, said Wilmington Fire Department battalion chief Tom Robertson. Officials shut down that portion of the road from 4 p.m. to about 8 p.m. as crews worked to repair the line.</p><p>The hit caused the gas line to break from two different directions, Robertson said. Crews were able to find and close one break quickly, but were unable to locate the other break Wednesday evening. Crews decided to shut off the gas valve at 17th and South College and resume digging Thursday morning, Robertson said.</p><p>That decision left an unknown number of homes and businesses without gas service for heat, hot water or cooking, Robertson said. He was also unsure when that service would be restored.</p><p>The road closures led to significant traffic slowdowns across southern New Hanover County, causing problems from 17th Street to the Monkey Junction area and on Oleander Drive and Masonboro Loop Road, according to dispatchers.</p><p>Cape Fear Academy, which is located at 3900 S. College Road, was locked down at 4 p.m. to ensure the safety of students and staff, said school spokeswoman Susan Harrell.</p><p>After discussions with emergency officials, students were able to leave campus around 6:15 p.m.</p><p>Harrell said the school would be open as normal Thursday and that the lack of gas service should not affect any of the school's operations.</p><p>Pressley Baird: 343-2328</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @PressleyBaird</p>